For this reason a foreigner, arriving in the country, loses no time in getting himself a mate, for he will find her commercial instincts a great asset.
Foreign sailors coming to the country note with pleasure that it is not necessary to wear clothes, and, since rice is easily had, women easily persuaded, houses easily run, furniture easily come by, and trade easily carried on, a great many sailors desert to take up permanent residence.
-Chou Ta-Kuan 1297 AD
